A Hybrid Input Charge-Pump Using Micropower Thermoelectric Generators

For industrial wireless transmitters, a hybrid input charge-pump utilizing thermoelectric energy from waste heat is proposed in this paper. Unlike conventional converters, the proposed capacitor-based converter supplies energy to a wireless transmitter by using a thermoelectric power source in combination with a rechargeable battery source. By combining the battery voltage and the thermoelectric generator (TEG) voltage, the proposed converter achieves a wider input range than conventional converters. Consequently, the proposed converter will enable the development of not only an industrial wireless transmitter but also various clean energy applications. Through theoretical analyses, simulations, and experiments, the following results are shown: 1. Even if the voltage of the TEG is small, the proposed converter can provide the sufficient voltage by compensating the insufficient voltage of the TEG with the battery voltage. 2. The formulas obtained by the theoretical analyses are useful for designing the proposed converter because the theoretical results correspond well with the simulation results. (c) 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.